Posted by KKovaly on June 28, 2013

Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) students will power up their electronic devices celebrating the installation of solar powered picnic table charging stations, called Solar Power-Doks, on July 2, 2 p.m., Centennial Campus Courtyard.The first college campus in Colorado to install these charging stations, PPCC invites the public and media to attend and try them out.

“These solar powered picnic tables provide ports for students to charge their electronic and mobile devices, while also providing a comfortable shady place to do homework and socialize,” said Mark Giles, PPCC Student Government president. “They also are a visible example of the value PPCC students and staff place on campus sustainability.”

Solar Power-Doks solve the ever-growing problem of finding electrical outlets to power mobile devices and laptops in public areas. The Doks have a battery bank for energy storage, two 110 volt outlets, two usb ports and a meter that shows how much power the sun is producing, how much is being consumed and how much battery capacity is available. The table is made from recycled materials and has a 150 mph wind load, a benefit for Colorado’s weather.

Student Government members came up with the idea for this project and worked with Campus Life and the Office of Sustainability to make it a reality. Student Government purchased two tables with its contingency fund, fees collected from students each semester. The additional picnic table is being installed on the Rampart Campus.

Pikes Peak Community College, in its 45th year of operation, is a two-year college offering associate’s degrees and various certifications in career and technical fields. With four campuses, two military education centers in El Paso county and nearly 200 programs of study, PPCC serves approximately 22,000 students annually.